CPCSC Compliance Consulting for Canadian Defence Contractors
Get Ready for Mandatory CPCSC Requirements
Expert cybersecurity compliance consulting for Canadian defence contractors. We guide you through every step of CPCSC certification preparation.
Expert CPCSC Implementation Support for Canadian Defence Industry
- CPCSC Gap Analysis & Readiness Assessment
- Comprehensive evaluation of your current cybersecurity posture against CPCSC requirements based on ITSP.10.171. We identify gaps, prioritize remediation efforts, and create a detailed compliance roadmap with realistic timelines and budget estimates aligned with National Defence Canada's phased implementation schedule.
- Technical Implementation & System Hardening
- Design and implement the technical infrastructure needed for CPCSC compliance. From network segmentation and controlled environments to access controls, encryption, and secure cloud architectures, we ensure your systems meet Level 1, 2, and 3 requirements based on NIST SP 800-171 Rev 3 and SP 800-172.
- Policy Development & Documentation
- Create the comprehensive policies, procedures, and documentation required for CPCSC compliance. We develop customized cybersecurity programs that align with your business operations while meeting all Government of Canada regulatory requirements and supporting evidence collection for assessments.
- 3PAO Preparation & Training
- Prepare your organization for official CPCSC assessment by accredited Third Party Assessment Organizations. We provide staff training, compliance monitoring tools, evidence collection systems, and mock assessments to ensure you're ready for self-assessment (Level 1) or third-party evaluation (Level 2/3).
CMMC Implementation Timeline
Level 1 Contract requirements begin Q3 2025
Phase 1: March 2025
New cyber security standard available, accreditation process opens, Level 1 self-assessment tool launched
Phase 2: Fall 2025
Level 1 certification required for some contracts, Level 2 pilot program begins
Phase 3: Spring 2026
Level 2 certification mandatory for select contracts, Level 3 controls published
Phase 4: 2027
Level 3 certification requirements incorporated into select high-value contracts
Don't wait - start your CPCSC preparation now to avoid missing contract opportunities.
Canadian Defence Contractors
CPCSC Requirements Overview
Levels of CPCSC Certification
- CPCSC Level 1:
- Requirements: Annual self-assessment using government-provided tools
- Timeline: Available March 2025, mandatory fall 2025 for select contracts
- Focus: Basic cybersecurity controls for handling federal contractual information
- CPCSC Level 2(Most common
requirement):
- Requirements: Third-party assessment possibly every three years by accredited 3PAO (unconfirmed)
- Timeline: Mandatory spring 2026 for select contracts
- Focus: Aligns with NIST SP 800-171 Rev 3 - protects sensitive unclassified government information
- CMMC Level 3:
- Requirements: Assessment by Department of National Defence possibly every three years (unconfirmed)
- Timeline: Mandatory 2027 for high-value contracts
- Focus: Enhanced security requirements based on NIST SP 800-172 for critical national security systems
Key Compliance Areas:
- Access Control
- Awareness and Training
- Audit and Accountability
- Configuration Management
- Identification and Authentication
- Incident Response
- Maintenance
- Media Protection
- Personnel Security
- Physical Protection
- Planning
- Risk Assessment
- Security Assessment and Monitoring
- System and Communications Protection
- System and Information Integrity
- System and Services Acquisition
- Supply-Chain Management
How CPCSC Relates to the US DoD's CMMC
Understanding the evolving relationship between Canada's CPCSC and the US CMMC programs for cross-border defence contracting.
Work-in-Progress Reciprocity
Canada's Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) have expressed an intent to explore mutual recognition between the Canadian Program for Cyber Security Certification (CPCSC) and the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC).
Important: No formal agreement is in place yet, so reciprocity remains an aspirational goal rather than an automatic reality.
Aligned Technical Standards
Both programs draw from the same NIST foundations, but they are on slightly different revisions today:
| Program | Current Baseline |
|---|---|
| CPCSC | NIST SP 800-171 Rev 3 plus 800-172 overlays for the highest level |
| CMMC | NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2 (DoD will migrate to Rev 3 after rule-making) |
Key Differences to Understand
| Topic | Canada (CPCSC) | United States (CMMC) |
|---|---|---|
| Information categories | Protected A/B/C and other Controlled Information (CI) | Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) |
| Assessment bodies | 3PAOs accredited by the Standards Council of Canada | C3PAOs accredited by the CMMC Accreditation Body (Cyber-AB) |
| Compliance reporting | No public portal yet; PSPC will define reporting mechanism in Phase 2 | Suppliers upload scores and artifacts to SPRS |
25+ Years
Experience
Nelson Ford
Founder & Principal CPCSC Compliance Consultant
Secret-cleared, CISSP and CMMC CCP certified technology leader with 25+ years guiding businesses through secure digital transformations. Nelson specializes in CPCSC compliacne consulting, CMMC compliance consulting, secure cloud, DevSecOps, and cybersecurity consulting across healthcare, financial services, and defense sectors.
Ready to achieve CMMC compliance?
Frequently asked questions
- How long does CPCSC implementation typically take?
- Implementation timelines vary based on your current cybersecurity posture and target level. Most Level 1 implementations take 3-6 months; Level 2 may take 6-12 months; Level 3 can take 12-18 months.
- Do we need CPCSC for all Canadian defence contracts?
- Beginning in Spring 2025, selected defence RFPs will specify the CPCSC level required. Most early contracts will need Level 1 (federal contractual information) or Level 2 (sensitive unclassified information). Level 3 will be limited to a few high-value programs in 2027.
- What happens if we don't achieve CPCSC compliance?
- You may be barred from bidding or maintaining Canadian defence contracts requiring CPCSC, potentially losing significant revenue opportunities in the growing Canadian defence market.
- How does CPCSC certification help with US DoD contracts?
- The program is designed to maintain Canadian companies' access to international procurement opportunities with Canada's close allies, including the U.S. DoD, where cyber security certification is required.
- Is Pilotcore a 3PAO?
- No. We don't offer official CPCSC assessments. However, our team has deep expertise in both CMMC and CPCSC requirements and can help prepare you for certification by accredited Third-Party Assessment Organizations.
Navigate Both CPCSC and CMMC Requirements
Our expertise in both programs ensures Canadian companies are prepared for current CPCSC requirements and future reciprocity opportunities.
Schedule Your CPCSC Consultation